“Imholc – A Time of New Beginnings”
February 2nd, 2011
My Dearest Darling God(dess) Daughter –
I’m writing to you in the pre-dawn hour of Imholc, the day which the ancient Druids identified as “beginning the year.” Doesn’t this make sense to you?
Really, Winter Solstice – or the end of the “Twelve days of Solstice” – is not our time of “new beginnings.” It may be the end of the previous year – but we have a rest time, a fallow time, between the end of one cycle and the beginning of the new.
Our society pushes us to hyper-activity. Just as we are most desiring to withdraw, to go inward, and to be very quiet, our social calendars and family responsibilities often dictate a time of increased shopping, travel, and social activities. We expect ourselves to write cards and notes to people (often – right around Winter Solstice – more than we do in the entire preceding year). We expect ourselves to shop for gifts, wrap them, mail them, all when the weather is getting very difficult!
Yes, of course at this time, we want to connect. We want emotional warmth. But the expectations that we have on ourselves sends us into over-drive, into hyper-achievement, just when our inner selves desire to calm down, to get centered, and to be very quiet.
A little silly, isn’t it?
And as for this “seasonal affective disorder” business? Bah! Of course our psyches are drawn inward at this time of year. This should be our time of going into our cave, of snuggling up by the fire, and maybe sleeping a little more than uusual. And if we put on a few extra pounds, well, don’t bears do the same?
Well now, that’s all settled. And we’re not in the deep, dark, heart of winter anymore. As of today, the cycle of seasons is at a very important turning point.
We’re at – very literally – the beginning of our new year. (The Chinese, an ancient, wise, and noble culture, don’t start their new year until this month, also. They simply tie their new year to a lunar starting time, rather than solar.)
As of today, no matter what the weather is outside, we have more energy. We have more sunlight. Our days are noticably longer, and we can see more daylight every day. And despite the fits and spurts of winter storms, we notice that it’s also a bit warmer.
We’ve survived winter thus far, and we have some confidence that we’ll get through the rest.
So now – that we are on this New-Year-threshold – what to do?
Get out of the house! (or the office, as the case may be) – Go for a walk; at lunchtime, whenever. Move about!
Clean and organize – Organize last year’s financials. Do your spreadsheets. Gather up the contact info from your last set of Christmas cards, and all the emails you’ve received, and get a headstart on cleaning up your people-contacts.
Go to (or hold) a party – Make it a “get moving” party – a belly dance party, or any sort of shake-off- the-winter-doldrums kind of gathering.
And if you can – join us – we’re having an Open House in just ten days; Sunday, February 13th! Noon – 2PM. Contact me for details – alaynya (at) alayna (dot) com. See you soon, darling!
Live joyously, my darlings! – Alay’nya